Holidays have long been associated with food and drink, necessities that transform into hedonistic pleasures at certain, festive times of the year. With Valentine’s Day looming, lovers everywhere are combing cookbooks and menus searching for just the right treats to set a romantic mood.
For those who harbor a powerful sweet tooth, whipped cream, decadent pastries, and lots of dark chocolate highlight the late winter holiday, an occasion inspired by birds, bees, and the promise of spring. Fresh fruit parfaits, frosted cookies, and all manner of cakes deliver sugary satisfaction, as well as edible messages of love.
At Gina’s Piece of Cake, voted Best Bakery by Sun readers in 2007 and 2008, heart-shaped cakes, cookies, and even cinnamon rolls fill the bill for hungry spooners. Order your cake 24 hours ahead of time, and the staff will even scribble a personalized note in pure, delectable frosting (922-7866).
One of the bakery’s signature specialties, a seemingly undivided cake that’s assembled from a dozen or more cupcakes, can be made to resemble a bright pink heart for celebrations honoring Cupid. To enjoy it for dessert or a mid-day treat, simply pull the construction apart, cupcake by cupcake, and offer sticky nibbles to your sweetie.
For her own Valentine’s Day parties, Piece of Cake’s owner, Gina Martin, usually chooses a confection that features one of Santa Maria’s juiciest and most famous exports.
“My favorite,” she admitted, “is white cake frosted with whipped cream, and topped with fresh strawberries.”
Ripe, rosy strawberries suit the merriment of Valentine’s Day, especially since their red color and heart shape seem to mirror the sentiments of the occasion. Dipped in chocolate, floated in sparkling wine, or mashed and drizzled over vanilla ice cream, these succulent berries offer vivid visuals and bright bursts of flavor.
Mary Corbo, who co-owns the Central Coast’s The Organic Chef with her husband, believes in the value of eating healthier foods today—especially locally grown fruits and vegetables—in order to ensure a healthier tomorrow (theorganichef.com). For Valentine’s Day, she advises couples to “feed your Valentine a chocolate dipped strawberry,” and if the kids are at home, include them, too.
“We always have spent Valentine’s Day as a family, celebrating each other,” Corbo said. “A week beforehand, we make homemade valentines for each other, and then on Valentine’s Day, we make a special dinner and dessert, and exchange our valentines.
“Every year,” she added, “I make my son—who is now 13 years old—cry with the special sentiments I write in his card.”
Corbo also recommends whipping up a batch of her irresistible mocha fondue to enliven family celebrations, for no one can resist getting involved with this interactive treat.
“Fondue is great,” Corbo said, “because of its versatility, and you can let the kiddies in on the fun, too. After all, they’ll dip anything!”
And then there’s pure, pungent chocolate, offering components that relax inhibitions (anandamide) and produce a stimulating buzz (theobromine), while delivering a potent dose of cell-renewing antioxidants on a par with red wine. This Aztec miracle food emits such a seductive aroma that simply breathing it in promotes the flow of mood-elevating and romance-enhancing serotonins.
For couples looking to boost their stamina and muscle tone, proteins and high-octane “love” foods—from asparagus to oysters—find their way onto the menu, too. These foods should be light, not heavy; served in small portions to keep you quick on your feet; and offer colors, aromas, textures, and flavors that engage all the senses.
Fresh, juicy fruits, such as bananas, mangoes, cherries, peaches, pears—whatever looks best in the market—make sweet, energy-boosting eating, while slices of creamy avocado lend a seductive component to the meal. Reputed to induce passion in women, almonds may be served raw, roasted, or ground into a fine paste called marzipan, right after you and your significant other have dipped into the lobster and caviar, both loaded with vital nutrients.
This year, Valentine’s Day falls on Saturday, an ideal morning to dazzle your sweetie with a special breakfast. Try dishing up crisp waffles topped with sliced strawberries and mounds of whipped cream, or cut toasted French bread into heart-shaped pieces with a large cookie cutter, topping one or two with poached eggs, the others with bright red jam.
Flowers, soft music, and candlelight go a long way toward making Valentine’s Day special. Combine all these elements with some well-chosen foods, and you can transform a simple meal into a hedonistic pleasure for you and your sweetie. m
K. Reka Badger loves candlelight, roses, and long walks on the beach. Send her some love at rekabadger@hotmail.com.
This article appears in Feb 12-19, 2009.